Hi again. Here's the next chapter, hope you enjoy. For those who haven't already guessed it, the difference in Jack will be revealed in the next chapter, which will come out after my exams finish.

Please note that, yet again, this chapter is going to be immensely boring for anyone who's watched CotG, as it is practically an edited and embellished version of the beginning of that episode. Sorry, but it IS necessary, you'll see why later. This whole story will follow the basic lines of CotG, in fact, so, lots of spoilers. HOWEVER, there are some more clues in here as to what is different about Jack – though not as many as in the last chapter. See if you can find them. The third chapter will hopefully be the start of the major differences to the story.

Updates will happen, but could be (will be!) sporadic, to say the least, as I have exams, and am also extremely lazy. I will finish it, though. Promise.

Answers to reviews:

Desert Blossom-by-the-Sea : Well, you found one of the differences, but can you guess what it means? Thanx for the review…

L.A. : Well, no Jack isn't a Doctor, though it was a good guess. Can you think of any other reason that Jack may have physically examined the body? The glasses are also a clue. Well done...

Okay, although the two reviews I got were brilliant, I'd love a few more. No people on fanfiction dot nethave guessed the difference, though some others have. Cookies to the one who guesses first on here.

Disclaimer: Don't own it, though the plot changes are mine. I'd quite like it if you didn't sue me, and so would you, as I have no money.

Hope you enjoy, I'll keep writing it anyway, 'cos it's fun, but reviews will cheer, if not speed me up. Let me know of any mistakes in spelling, grammar etc.

Oh, and flames will be ignored, basically. Feel free to waste your time.

Anyway, enough of my blabbering, here it is…

"It seems obvious to me, Colonel, that the other gate wasn't quite as incapacitated as you led us to believe…"

The General's voice was light, but carried a distinct threat. Jack refused to waver, replying instantly

"Well, we sent a robot probe through after we got back. It was flattened on the other end. Obviously, the Abydos Stargate had been buried in the rubble. Sir." Jack could avoid the subject with the best of them.

Scowling, the General snapped out "Well, somehow it got unburied" He paused, glancing at the man who was irritating him so much. "It will be Mark Five this time. If these creatures did reopen the Abydos Gate, we intend to reseal it for good."

Jack allowed his mouth to gape open in horror. All those people…Skaara, Daniel…Sha're…"General, Sir, you can't do that" he pleaded.

"Countdown's already started." He watched as the Doctor covered the dead man with a sheet, and then said lightly "Unless you have something to add. Colonel."

Jack hesitated, but only for a second. He sighed, turning towards the General "General Hammond. Sir." He could feel the man's expectation. "I regret to inform you that my report was not entirely accurate". He sensed Samuels coming up behind him, eager to hear what he was going to say. Jack growled inwardly. This was soooo going to land him in Leavenworth. He took a deep breath, and started to explain.

Not ten minutes later, he was being frog-marched down the corridor, a guard on either side of him. He scowled at the pair, who were practically dragging him along. "You know, I've been walking by myself since I was a year old. I think I can manage. Airmen." He threw in the casual reminder of rank almost as an after thought, but it had the desired effect. The two burly men loosened their grip, slowing down. Jack gave a half grin of triumph, until he realised that the slowing was just because they were approaching their destination. The men unlocked the door, pushing him inside and slamming it behind him. He stumbled, but quickly regained his footing. Reaching for a chair, he sat down at the military issue metal table, lowering his head into his arms and grunting out. "I'm retired, Kawalsky. Lose the salute", to the man who had just scrambled to his feet, opening his mouth for a greeting. Head still in his arms, he smirked as the other man muttered "How the hell do you do that…?" before sinking into the chair opposite. Neither had to ask about why the other was there. They knew.

The two men passed several minutes in a comfortable silence before Kawalsky opened his mouth again, chuckling "That one kid idolized you. Remember him? Weird name. What was it?"

Jack raised his head slightly, warring emotions rushing through him as he remembered the little boy who'd gone a long way in healing him. "Skaara." He grunted, after a moment. Kawalsky grinned, also remembering. "Right. Remember how he was always saluting you?" Jack smiled sadly. "Yeah. My kid used to do that when he was little. Skaara kind of reminded me of him."

Kawalsky leaned back in his chair a little, relaxing. "Yeah? How's the junior doing by the way? Charlie, wasn't it? Great name. He started High school yet?" Jack closed his eyes in pain at the comment, breathing shakily. Kawalsky opened his mouth to ask what was wrong, but Jack beat him to it. "He died. Sara too. Just before the Abydos mission." The other man stared at him, eyes full of pity, saying quietly, "I'm sorry, sir. I had no idea." Jack waved a hand at him, letting him know he wasn't angry. He opened his mouth, trying to change the subject, but was saved the trouble by the door swinging open. Kawalsky scrambled to his feet, snapping a smart salute, while Jack rose gracefully from his chair at a slightly more sedate pace, heart pounding as he waited to hear what the General had to say. He was hard pushed not to break into a grin at the older man's first words. "How many people did you say are on Abydos?". He knew he had won the first battle.

Jack was seated in the briefing room. Waiting. Again. Though, to be fair, in slightly nicer surroundings. He just hoped that Daniel would reply to his message. Otherwise, he looked to be in for a nice little stay at State expense. He knew his tapping was annoying Samuels, but at this point, he didn't care. Though, he thought he might need to reconsider, as the latest pointed sigh ad come from the General. Jack stopped his tapping fingers with an effort, laying both hands flat on the table instead. A minute later, he leaped to his feet, hurrying from the room. The rest of the room's occupants exchanged bemused glances, which soon turned into understanding as the table began to shake, and the siren activated, letting them know of the incoming wormhole.

By the time they reached the gate room, however, O'Neill was already examining an empty, extremely sandy tissue box, running his fingers over it, a grin on his face. Hearing their entrance, he turned his head towards them, and read the message aloud. "Thanks. Send More." He paused, letting them take in the information, before standing to attention. "Permission to take a team through the Stargate, sir."

He could feel the General's interest warring with his disapproval, but there was no hint of it when the man spoke. "Assuming I get the President's authorization. The mission briefing will be at 0800 hours. Consider yourself recalled to active duty, Colonel." Jack smiled. It would be good to see Skaara again. And Danny too, though of course he'd never say so.

So, that was it. What did you think? Let me know.